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Experts to review Vic storms blackout to avoid repeat

More than 12,000km of power lines were damaged in the wild weather that hit Victoria in February.

More than 12,000km of power lines were damaged in the wild weather that hit Victoria in February. Photo: AAP

Experts will review the lead up to and fallout from the destructive storm event that crippled Victoria’s electricity transmission network.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has commissioned an independent review into Tuesday’s wild weather event which left more than half a million properties without power.

“We had a similar review following the 2021 storm events,” Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters on Tuesday.

“It is appropriate and usual practice that following a weather event like this you engage the expert advice to look at what happened and then put in place any further recommendations.”

Energy Safe Victoria has already announced it will investigate the collapse of six transmission towers near Geelong.

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has accused the state government of failing to act on previous network reliability warnings and flagged plans to set up a parliamentary inquiry.

Greens MP Tim Read said his party was yet to reach a position on whether it would support the inquiry motion.

“It’s clearly very important that the issue be looked at,” he said.

“Nevertheless, what we know for sure is that coal and gas are driving climate change.”

There are 3935 properties still without power as a result of the wild storms.

The South Gippsland town of Mirboo North was among the communities hardest hit by the storms, with at least 16 homes rendered uninhabitable.

Residents have been told they can resume using water indoors but should hold off outdoors as the water treatment plant is still operating through a generator.

– AAP

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